Page 63 of Shadow & Stars
“Who are you talking to?”
“You, Grandma.”
“I’ll give you a minute for that to sink in.”
He scowled at me, then bit his bottom lip. “Oh. Shit. I mean, sugar. Sorry.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Kids.”
Regardless of the circumstances, they were adorable together.
“Don’t smile!” Roman snapped at me.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I finally spoke, holding up my hands. “I’m from the future. I know you in that time, Roman. That might be why you dreamed of me.”
“You were walking down a street,” he said. “That’s it. Worst dream ever.”
June removed a handkerchief from her cardigan sleeve, dabbing at her nose. “This is strange.” She still hadn’t gone to call the ADU.
“And complete bollocks,” Roman interjected.
“One more swear word out of you and there will be no banana bread for a week,” June warned.
Roman paled at that, deflating somewhat. “Sorry.”
His grandmother put her handkerchief away. “This is a lot to take in, Mr. Xavier.”
“I know. I’m so sorry to disturb your evening like this. But the future might be at stake. May I explain?” I had to tell them everything, especially if Roman was having dreams of me.
How would this work? I’d hoped that as soon as teenage Roman saw me, magic would intervene. Maybe my plan required a spell, or physical contact to work.Ifmy plan was an actual possibility.
I might be stuck here, dead and doomed to be trapped in this time forever, unable to move on to become the me of the future.
“Yes, you can,” June answered before Roman said no. “But not out here. Come in.”
“Grandma, I?—”
“This is my house. I decide who I want inside it.”
Roman’s expression flitted between chastised and furious. “What if he’s a demon?”
“Not all demons want to kill us,” she responded. “You know this.”
I went to tell her of my true nature but held back. Saving it for when I told my story would be best. I might spoil any chance of getting them on my side.
“I’ll make us some tea.” June stepped aside, ordering Roman to do the same.
The witch kept his magic active, scarlet energy flickering across his fingers like fire. “One wrong move and I’ll fuck you up.”
“Knowing the future you, I’ll take that as fair warning.”
He frowned. “You?—”
“And there goes any banana bread for a week,” June interjected.
“Ah, shit!” teenage Roman cried.
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